Kyiv - Saba:
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the Ukrainian Border Guard Service, has warned that the Russian military exercises scheduled for this summer in Belarus could pose a potential threat to Ukraine, despite the absence of large Russian military formations near the border at present.
Demchenko said in a statement reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform that the situation on the northern border with Belarus does not indicate an immediate threat, but he noted that the announced exercises involving Russian units inside Belarus are worrying.
He added: "Although this trend still poses a threat to us, no Russian military group has yet been formed near our border with Belarus. However, these upcoming exercises, especially those taking place inside Belarus, raise the level of danger during their conduct."
Demchenko pointed out that Ukrainian forces are closely monitoring any Russian movements inside Belarus, stressing the need to strengthen defensive capabilities along the northern border.
He continued, "Our mission is to strengthen our defensive capabilities and closely monitor the situation, both on the border with Belarus and deep within its territory, especially if Russian units are transferred there."
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